Combination doll and accessory implements

ABSTRACT

A combination doll and accessory set wherein the doll has a movable body and a movable limb connected to a tiltable head and adapted to hold a simulated electric mixer, and the accessory set includes a mixing bowl and simulated electric mixer which may traverse about the interior of the bowl to mix ingredients deposited in the bowl and cause movement in the doll body and head with the circuit for activating the mixer including a portion of the hand of the doll and also including a portion of the handle of the mixer.

United States Patent Glass et al.

[54] COMBINATION DOLL AND ACCESSORY IMPLEMENTS [72] Inventors: Marvin 1. Glass, Chicago; Howard J. Morrison, Highland Park; Robert K. Allen, Frankfort, all of Ill.

[73] Assignee: Marvin Glass 8: Associates [22] Filed: Nov. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 196,849

[52] US. Cl ..46/245, 46/ l 16 [51] Int. Cl. ..A63h 13/00, A63h 33/26 [58] Field of Search ..46/14, 116, 245

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1927 Barie ..259/40 Aug. 1, 1972 1,865,837 7/1932 Connor ..209/403 3,171,636 3/1965 Barlowetal ..259/2l Primary Examiner-Louis G. Mancene I Assistant Examiner-Robert F. Cutting Attorney-James F. Coffee et al.

[5 7] ABSTRACT deposited in the bowl and cause movement in the doll body and head with the circuit for activating the mixer including a portion of the hand of the doll and also including a portion of the handle of the mixer.

19 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Q V l6 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to dolls, and more particularly to a combination doll and accessory apparatus.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art In recent years there has been the provision of a great number of different types of dolls which are capable of performing simulated human functions. These include dolls that walk, dance, apparently verbally respond to external stimulus, and the like. There has further been the development of dolls which can apparently participate with the child in some sort of an activity. Those dolls which appear to be capable of simulating human functions to instructions are of greater fascination to children. This invention is directed towards meeting the continuing need and desire in the art to provide an improved doll which is capable of simulating human functions and participating with a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed in brief, to the provision of an improved doll and related auxiliary apparatus for performing a simulated human function.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention includes the provision of a doll figure having a body including relatively movable torso portions and a tiltable head, and a pair articulated arms and legs connected to the body, with one of the arms having a hand portion with a first contact element therein. The invention further includes accessory elements in the form of a base platform on wh the doll may be seated and a simulated mixing bowl, which is to be held within flanges on the base platform. The mixing bowl is adapted to receive a small electric mixer held in the doll hand which may be driven to track about a ring gear on the inner periphery of the mixing bowl. Portions of the doll move responsive to the tracking of the mixer about the bowl as it is held in the dolls hand. The electric mixer includes beater assemblies and has a handle with complementary contact portions for engaging with the contact portions in the doll hand for activating the mixer motor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the combination doll and accessory implements of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged section view mainly through the torso of the doll of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a section view taken generally along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is diagrammatic view of the upper and low torso connection of the doll of this invention;

FIG. 5 is a view partially broken away in section, of the mixer unit utilized with the doll and accessory implements of this invention;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary section view showing the mixer and mixing bowl utilized with the doll and accessory implements of this invention;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged section view showing the relationship between the grip of one hand of the doll and the handle portion of the mixer of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is a diagrammatic perspective view showing the related components of the circuitry for activating the mixer utilized with the doll and accessory components of this invention;

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to e considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The combination doll and related accessories 10 of this invention includes a doll 12 and accessory components 14 to be described.

Doll 12 has the usual head 16 and torso 18, a pair of arms fasten and 22, and a pair of legs 24 and 26. Legs 24 and 26 are articulated for movement relative to the doll by being connected through openings 28a and 28b in the lower portion of the torso 18..

Torso 18 includes an upper portion 30 having bottom panel 30a and central opening 30b therein. Torso 18 also includes a lower portion 32 having a top panel 32a which supports a post 32b having an enlarged head that extends through the opening 30b in the panel 30a to fasten the upper portion 30 to the lower portion .32 for relative rotational movement. In addition, there is a slot 34 provided in the top panel 32a of lower torso 32 and a pin 36 depends from the bottom panel 32a of upper torso 30 through slot 34 to thereby limit the amount of relative rotational movement of the upper and lower torso portions 30 and 32, respectively. Slot 34 terminates at the V-shaped ends 34a and 34b so that pin 36 may travel in a narrow elongate oval path of travel and the torso may turn to-and-fro responsive to one of the arms being can-ied through a circular path of travel.

The upper portion 30 of the torso has an open upper end 38 defining a neck portion of the doll. Open end 38 v is somewhat larger than the lower portion of head 16 to permit tilting motion of the head 16 relative to the torso 18. The open end 38 has inwardly directed flanges 40 and 42 having slots 40a and 42a, respectively. An annular ring 44 is rotatably held within the slots 40a and 42a. The annular ring 44 supports a pair of spaced apart uprights 46a and 46b and the ring 44 has a space 48 therein between the uprights 46a and 46b.

Head 16 has an opening 50 in the bottom portion for receiving head insert 52, which is generally a box-like structure with a bottom opening 52a. A link member 54 is secured within insert 52 and is pivoted on a pin 56 which extends between the uprights 46a and 46b. The link 54 depends through the space 48 in the annular ring 44 and, at its lower portion, has an elongate vertical slot 58. At its upper end the link 54 has a tab 60, which extends through slot 62 in insert 52. By this arrangement, as the link 54 moves toand-fro, by being pivoted about pin 56, the head will tilt toand-fro as well. It is contemplated that known eye blinking structure may be provided with doll head 16 for simulating eye blinking during tilting motion of the doll head.

Each of the arms 20 and 22 is provided with elbow socket joints 64 and 66 so that the lower portion of the arm is articulated for movement relative to the upper portion. In addition, the upper portions of the arms 20 and 22 are provided with ball ends 68 and 70, respectively, which extend through sockets 72 and 74 in the upper torso 30 and are received in sockets 76 and 78, respectively, in the interior of the upper torso 30, to provide a generally universal mounting of the arms relative to the doll body. A pin 80 protrudes from ball end 68-to the interior of upper torso 30 and resides in slot 58 of link 54. Up and down movement of arm 20 becomes lost motion of pin 80 in slot 58, but side to side movement of arm 20 causes pin 80 to engage the sides of slot 58 and move head 16. Therefore, as the pin 80 moves toand-fro responsive to movement of the arm 20, this movement will be translated into tilting movement of the head 16 through aforedescribed structure.

Arm 20 is provided with a hand 82 atthe lower end thereof, which is generally configured in an open, fistlike grip. The interior of hand 82 is provided with a U- shaped metal contact member in the interior thereof, which constitutes a bridge for completing a circuit as will be described. A hand 85 is also provided at the end of arm 22, but need not be of any special configuration.

Included in the accessories 14 of the combination of The gear train 124 includes a ring gear 130 fastened on shaft 132. Gear shaft 132 supports reduction gears 1320, 132b, and 1320 which are in meshing engagement with reduction gears 134a, 1341) and l34c supported on shaft 136. Gear 1340 extends through opening 137 in beater head 126 for meshing driving engagement with ring gear surface 108, so that gear 1340 comprises a driving member with respect to surface 108 which comprises a tracking surface.

Shaft 136 terminates in a beater drive gearv 138 which is in meshing engagement with laterally adjacent beater gears 140a, 1401) which are connected to rotatable beater hubs 142a and 142b, respectively. Beater hubs 142a and 142b terminate in sockets 144a and 144b, respectively, for receiving the reducedends 146a 14617 of beater shafts 148a and 148b, respectively. Beater shafts 148a and 1481) have radial enlargements at their respective lower ends comprising beater ends 150a and 15%. The bottom of the beater shafts 148a and 148b terminate in reduced pin-like ends 151a and 15%.

The mixer 92 further includes a generally U-shaped beater shroud 152 having upright arms 154 and 156 joined by a bottom 158. The bottom 158 includes a forthis invention, is a base structure 86 from which there is supported a small bowl or cup 88 within an upstanding annular flange 88a. This bowl may be utilized for premixing of ingredients or the like. An ingredient or mixing bowl 90 is also supported on base 86 within an upstanding annular flange 90a. The accessories further include a mixing utensil or mixer 92 having a cord 94 which leads therefrom and terminates in outlet plug 94a connected to a source of power, which may be a wall outlet or, as shown, a battery pack 96 having batteries 96a and 96b. Cord 94 is comprised of two wires as will be described later.

Bowl 90 has a generally cylindrical, slightly frustoconical, side wall 98 which extends upwardly from a bottom 100' and terminates at an upper edge 98a. Bottom 100 has a center raised portion 102 and a depending flange 104 which fits within the annular flange 90a of the base 14. The bowl further includes an exterior peripheral flange or rib 106 defining an upper arcuate shoulder 1060 near the upper edge 98a. The interior of the upper end near edge 980 has a tracking or gear surface 108 formed therein which defines a ring gear.

Mixer 92 includes a housing 110 having an elongate handle portion 112. A pair of C-shaped contacts 114 and 116 are disposed on the handle. With reference to FIG. 8, the contacts 114 and 116 are in communication with a source of power 96 through a circuit including wire 117 which runs from contact 114 to motor 118 and wire 1 17a, which runs from motor 118 to plug 94a and is part of the cord 94. Further, the contact 116 is in direct communication with plug 94a, through wire 119.

The mixer motor 118 includes an output shaft 120 which supports an output shaft gear 122. Output shaft gear 122 is in driving engagement with gear train 124 of beater head 126. Beater head 126 has an outwardly opening circumferential notch, 127 at its upper end which receives the edge portions 127a of opening 128 in housing 1 10 to rotatably mount the head 126 relative to the mixerhousing 110. By this arrangement, beater head 126 comprises a turret relative to housing 1 10.

ward edge 158a which is intended to track against the interior of the junction of side wall 98 and bottom 100. The bottom also has spaced openings 159a and 15% for rotatably receiving the reduced beater shaft ends 151a and 151b, respectively. The upper end of the arms 154 and 156 include a reduced notch 160, which is received within the retaining ring 162. It is intended that the shroud could be removed from the housing by squeezing inwardly on the arms 154 and 156 so that the reduced notch 160 would clear the retaining ring 162 and allow for removal of the shroud.

The beater head 126 has a horizontal rib 163 which is intended to rest on the upper edge 98a of side wall 98. Rib 163 supports a depending lip 164 terminating in bottom edge 164a which abuts shoulder 106a of rib 106. The inner face 1641: of lip 164 abuts the outer surface of the bowl between rib 106 and edge 98a when the gear 1340 is in meshing engagement with gear ring 108. By this arrangement, and the rotatable mounting of beater head 126, the beater head will track about the bowl and the remainder of housing 1 10 will revolve about the beater head when motor 1 18 is activated.

In operation, when the doll hand 82 is placed about the handle 112 of mixer 92, the contact 84 bridges the contacts 114 and 116 to complete the circuit between the motor and the source of power, assuming that the plug 94a is electrically connected with the source of power 96. If such is the case, the mixer motor is activated and, assuming that the gear 134c is in meshing engagement with the ring gear 108 in the interior of the bowl 90, the mixer will track about the interior of the bowl. The beater head assembly will rotate in the manner of a turret relative to the mixer housing and the hand grip will bias the mixer toward the center of the bowl in opposition to the retaining influence exerted by the overhanging lip 164. As the doll arm 20 tracks along with the rotation of the mixer 92 about the interior of the periphery of the bowl, the doll body will swivel from side to side, through the provision of the aforementioned connection of the upper torso and lower torso through the post and opening 32b and 30b and the pin and slot 36 and 34. The movement of arm will also impart a toand-fro tilting movement to the doll head 16. The mixer is further urged in a tracking pattern around the interior of the bowl closely adjacent to the side walls by the upraised center portion 102 of the bottom, which also tends to urge the ingredients towards the side wall 90 and the forward edge 158a of the shroud limits the outward movement of the mixer in the area of the bottom of the bowl. The beaters may be easily removed for cleaning by first removing the shroud itself and then axially withdrawing the beater shafts from the rotatable hubs.

Thus, it can be seen that the doll and related accessories of this invention provide a novel combination entertainment and participation toy for a child in that the doll may play the role of a helper by functioning to mix certain ingredients, which it is contemplated, could be actually used subsequently, as a food product. The doll itself apparently responds through the movement of its body and tilting of its head. These responsive movements are resultant from the driving action of the mixer 92 which thus performs the dual function of mixing ingredients and also acting as a drive source positioned outside the doll for imparting movement to portions of the doll.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In combination, a doll and accessory set, comprismg:

means defining a doll body and doll arms connected to said body, at least one of said arms terminating in a gripping portion, said doll including said arms having one portion which is movable relative to another portion responsive to movement of said at least one arm;

a simulated ingredient bowl for receiving ingredients to be mixed, said bowl having a circumsurrounding side wall terminating in an open top and including means defining a tracking surface generally about the side wall thereof,

and a simulated mixing utensil including a housing having a handle portion for retention in the gripping portion of said doll, motor means in said housing a drive system operably connected with said motor means and driven thereby, said drive system including a utensil driving member for tracking on said bowl tracking surface and driving said utensil thereabout; whereby when said handle is retained in the doll gripping portion and the motor is activated to drive the utensil about said bowl, said relatively movable portions of said doll body are caused to move relative to each other.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the simulated mixing utensil has an opening in the housing and the drive system driving member is a gear which extends through said opening, and wherein the tracking surface on said bowl comprises a ring gear surface about the side wall thereof. I

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the mixing utensil housing includes an overhanging lip spaced from the driving member for embracing the side wall of the bowl to hold the utensil in engagement with the bowl.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said bowl has a shoulder on the surface opposite said tracking surface, said shoulder being located to abut said lip when the utensil is in tracking engagement with the bowl.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the driving member is located in a turret which is rotatable relative to the remainder of the utensil housing so that the doll gripping portion may traverse a generally circuitous path of travel during circuitous tracking of said utensil about said bowl.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said turret supports depending beater means which are operably associated with said drive system to be driven while said utensil transverses said bowl.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said bowl has a bottom spanning said wall with the medial portion of the bottom being raised relative to the remainder and wherein said utensil turret includes a shroud which embraces the beater means, the shroud having a bottom which abuts the bowl bottom when the utensil is in tracking engagement therewith, with the shroud bottom having inner and outer edges which lie between the raised portion of the bowl bottom and the bowl side wall at its juncture with the bowl bottom.

8. The combination of claim 5 wherein the simulated mixing utensil has an opening in the housing and the drive system driving member is a gear which extends through said opening, and wherein the tracking surface on said bowl comprises a ring gear surface about the side wall thereof.

9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said doll includes a torso having upper and lower portions which are movable relative to each other responsive to tracking of said utensil about said bowl when said gripping portion retains said handle.

10. The combination of claim 1 wherein one doll arm, having said gripping portion, is connected to the doll body by means affording substantially universal movement of the arm relative to the body.

11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said one doll arm has an extension to the interior of the doll body and wherein said doll body has a head movably connected thereto, with said head also having an extension which is adjacent to the arm extension and in a position to be engaged thereby to move the doll head as the doll arm moves responsive to tracking of said utensil.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said doll includes a torso having upper and lower portions which are movable relative to each other responsive to tracking of said utensil about said bowl when said gripping portion retains said handle 13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said motor means is part of a circuit including spaced contact members on said utensil housing handle and wherein said doll arm gripping portion has a circuit bridging means for closing the circuit through the handle contacts when the handle is retained in the gripping portron.

14. In combination, a toy figure and accessory set, comprising:

means defining a figure body including limbs connected to a torso, said body having portions movable relative to each other responsive to movement of at least one limb;

a vessel-like accessory having a tracking surface thereon;

and, a tool including a housing having a connecting portion for connection with a figure limb, and another portion for tracking engagement with said accessory tracking surface:

a motor associated with one of said tools and said accessory;

and a driving member associated with said motor and connected with one of said tool and accessory to drive one relative to the other and cause said tool to track relative to said accessory;

whereby, when said at least one limb is connected to said tool and said motor is activated to drive said driving member, said relatively movable portions of said body will move responsive to tracking of said tool about said accessory.

15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the accessory is an open top vessel with the tracking surface adjacent the open top.

16. The combination of claim 14 wherein the motor is associated with the tool and the tool is driven about the accessory.

17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the said one limb has a housing gripping portion with a first circuit activating component and the housing connecting portion has a second circuit activating component and is engageable with the gripping portion for holding the housing relative to the limb and activating the motor circuitry.

18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the accessory is an open top vessel with the tracking surface adjacent the open top.

19. The combination of claim 18 wherein the figure torso includes relatively movable portions and said at least one limb is movable relative to said torso.

UNITED STATES PATENT rmcr CERTIFICATE @l CQRREQ'MGN Patent No. 3,680,254 Dated August 1, 1972 InVentor(s) Marvin I. Glass, Howard J. Morrison, Robert K. Allen It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Summary of the Invention Line 36, column l "Wh" should read which-.

Brief Description of the Drawings Line 6, column 2 "forms," should not be duplicated.

Line 9, column 2 "e" should be -be-.

Brief Description of the Preferred Embodiment Signed and sealed this 6th day of March 1973.

Line 21, column 2 "fasten" should have been --20-.

Line 33, column 2 "32a" should be -30a-.

Claims Line 48, column 5, A comma was omitted after "housing". 7

(SEAL) Attbbt.

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents FORM PO-105O (10-69) USCOMM-DC 60375-P59 fi' U S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: I969 O366'334 

1. In combination, a doll and accessory set, comprising: means defining a doll body and doll arms connected to said body, at least one of said arms terminating in a gripping portion, said doll including said arms having one portion which is movable relative to another portion responsive to movement of said at least one arm; a simulated ingredient bowl for receiving ingredients to be mixed, said bowl having a circumsurrounding side wall terminating in an open top and including means defining a tracking surface generally about the side wall thereof, and a simulated mixing utensil including a housing having a handle portion for retention in the gripping portion of said doll, motor means in said housing a drive system operably connected with said motor means and driven thereby, said drive system including a utensil driving member for tracking on said bowl tracking surface and driving said utensil thereabout; whereby when said handle is retained in the doll gripping portion and the motor is activated to drive the utensil about said bowl, said relatively movable portions of said doll body are caused to move relative to each other.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the simulated mixing utensil has an opening in the housing and the drive system driving member is a gear which extends through said opening, and wherein the tracking surface on said bowl comprises a ring gear surface about the side wall thereof.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the mixing utensil housing includes an overhanging lip spaced from the driving member for embracing the side wall of the bowl to hold the utensil in engagement with the bowl.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said bowl has a shoulder on the surface opposite said tracking surface, said shoulder being located to abut said lip when the utensil is in tracking engagement with the bowl.
 5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the driving member is located in a turret which is rotatable relative to the remainder of the utensil housing so that the doll gripping portion may traverse a generally circuitous path of travel during circuitous tracking of said utensil about said bowl.
 6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said turret supports depending beater means which are operably associated with said drive system to be driven while said utensil transverses said bowl.
 7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said bowl has a bottom spanning said wall with the medial portion of the bottom being raised relative to the remainder and wherein said utensil turret includes a shroud which embraces the beater means, the shroud having a bottom which abuts the bowl bottom when the utensil is in tracking engagement therewith, with the shroud bottom having inner and outer edges which lie between the raised portion of the bowl bottom and the bowl side wall at its juncture with the bowl bottom.
 8. The combination of claim 5 wherein the simulated mixing utensil has an opening in the housing and the drive system driving member is a gear which extends through said opening, and wherein the tracking surface on said bowl comprises a ring gear surface about the side wall thereof.
 9. The combination of claim 1 wherein said doll includes a torso having upper and lower portions which are movable relative to each other responsive to tracking of said utensil about said bowl when said gripping portion retains said handle.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein one doll arm, having said gripping portion, is connected to the doll body by means affording substantially universal movement of the arm relative to the body.
 11. The combination of claim 10 wherein said one doll arm has an extension to the interior of the doll body and wherein said doll body has a head movably connected thereto, with said head also having an extension which is adjacent to the arm extension and in a position to be engaged thereby to move the doll head as the doll arm moves responsive to tracking of said utensil.
 12. The combination of claim 11 wherein said doll includes a torso having upper and lower portions which are movable relative to each other responsive to tracking of said utensil about said bowl when said gripping portion retains said handle
 13. The combination of claim 1 wherein said motor means is part of a circuit including spaced contact members on said utensil housing handle and wherein said doll arm gripping portion has a circuit bridging means for closing the circuit through the handle contacts when the handle is retained in the gripping portion.
 14. In combination, a toy figure and accessory set, comprising: means defining a figure body including limbs connected to a torso, said body having portions movable relative to each other responsive to movement of at least one limb; a vessel-like accessory having a tracking surface thereon; and, a tool including a housing having a connecting portion for connection with a figure limb, and another portion for tracking engagement with said accessory tracking surface: a motor associated with one of said tools and said accessory; and a driving member associated with said motor and connected with one of said tool and accessory to drive one relative to the other and cause said tool to track relative to said accessory; whereby, when said at least one limb is connected to said tool and said motor is activated to drive said driving member, said relatively movable portions of said body will move responsive to tracking of said tool about said accessory.
 15. The combination of claim 14 wherein the accessory is an open top vessel with the tracking surface adjacent the open top.
 16. The combination of claim 14 wherein the motor is associated with the tool and the tool is driven about the accessory.
 17. The combination of claim 16 wherein the said one limb has a housing gripping portion with a first circuit activating component and the housing connecting portion has a second circuit activating component and is engageable with the gripping portion for holding the housing relative to the limb and activating the motor circuitry.
 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein the accessory is an open top vessel with the tracking surface adjacent the open top.
 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein the figure torso includes relatively movable portions and said at least one limb is movable relative to said torso. 